The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India may soon be connected by submarine cables, creating a renewable energy grid as both countries explore a cross-country project being undertaken to extend a new era of energy diplomacy, Indian local media reported on Friday.
As per media reports, the cost of the project could be between $15 and $18 billion. However, this figure is not final. In the coming days, UAE may also join this project.
The submarine cable project will be connected from Mundra Port in Gujarat to the coastal city of Fujairah, and the distance between the two is about 1,600 km.
Alternatively, the cable could also go via Oman (1,200 km), with the deepest point being 3.5 km. According to people with knowledge of the matter, petroleum and natural gas officials conducted a feasibility study three years ago, but only now is the project moving, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushing the International Solar Alliance.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Energy was recently in New Delhi to meet with Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Minister of Petroleum Hardeep Singh, and Minister of Electricity Raj Kumar Singh.
The prince also held talks with a number of leaders of the Indian business sector, state news agency SPA reported.
This visit is aimed at boosting the strategic partnership and cooperation between the two countries.
